Hyatt introduces benchmark rewards for loyalty members

Company says it will provide extra benefits ‘sooner and more frequently’

Chris McGinnis

Updated
9:21 am PST, Monday, December 24, 2018

Entrance to the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.

Entrance to the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.

Photo: Hyatt

Photo: Hyatt

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Entrance to the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.

Entrance to the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.

Photo: Hyatt

Hyatt introduces benchmark rewards for loyalty members

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In the latest update to its World of Hyatt loyalty program, Hyatt said that in 2019 it will introduce a new series of Milestone Rewards that will kick in at specific levels of base point accumulation or spending.

The new rules will take effect March 1, Hyatt said.

At the lowest level of 20 nights or 35,000 base points, the new Milestone Reward is a pair of Club Lounge admissions. Those who hit 30 nights/50,000 base points will get a free night in a category 1-4 property and two Club Lounge awards. At 40 nights or 65,000 base points, members can choose between bonus points, a Hyatt gift card, or savings on a "FIND" experience paid for with points. (FIND experiences are individual lifestyle experiences available through the program in categories of Food & Drink, Fitness & Relaxation and Tours & Adventures.)

The new Milestone Reward at 50 nights or 80,000 points is a pair of suite upgrades. Those who achieve 60 nights/100,000 base points will get a free night in a category 1-7 hotel plus two suite upgrades along with a "My Hyatt Concierge" agent. Higher levels of achievement -- every additional 10 nights from 70 through 100 – will earn a choice of bonus points or a suite upgrade.

While the new Milestone Rewards program kicks in March 1, account activity beginning January 1 will apply toward earning them. "Members will only earn benefits associated with milestones once per year," Hyatt explained. "For example, if members qualify (or re-qualify) for Explorist or Globalist status in January or February 2019 and have already been awarded certain benefits in 2019 by the time Milestone Rewards start on March 1, then those benefits will not be granted again in 2019."

The company is also making a few additional tweaks to the program. Club lounge access awards can be earned sooner and won't be tied just to gaining Explorist status. For 2019, members can earn a maximum of four Club awards if they hit Explorist status in January or February, or if they stay 30 nights or earn 50,000 base points in a calendar year. "In 2020, Club access awards will only be awarded as follows: 2 at 20 qualifying nights or 35,000 base points and 2 more at 30 qualifying nights or 50,000 base points," Hyatt said.

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Also effective in 2020, members who want to requalify for Globalist status in the program will need to stay 60 qualifying nights (including paid and award nights) instead of the current 55 nights. You can click here for all the details on the program changes.

Last month, World of Hyatt rolled out other changes like eliminating the three-night minimum stay requirement for booking award stays in suites, adding a new category of premium suites (as opposed to standard suites) for award bookings, and changing the formula for the cost of rooms booked with the program's points + cash option. In January, the program will eliminate a perk for those who achieve its Globalist elite tier – two United Club airport lounge passes.